The repair process, which replaces damaged mortar joints between bricks is commonly known as tuckpointing. The procedure involves removing any decaying mortar and re-placing it to reseal the joints. Bricks can last up to 100 years, however the mortar between them may need restoration after 20-25 years.
What causes mortar deterioration?
There are many factors that cause mortar damage. Some of them may be a result of over-painting of brick facades with oil paints. However most damage is caused by weather conditions and external pollution. Sulfur compounds, dust and other pollutants from the atmosphere and a complex series of chemical reactions occurring in the near-surface layer of the bricks and in the mortar are the main reason dark deposits form on brick elevations.
Deterioration of the mortar weakens the whole construction. Mortar degradation can lead to further damage of the bricks, as well as accumulation of moisture in the walls behind the bricks. It is important to prevent damages and fix existing issues as soon as possible. Tuckpointing isn’t a difficult technique, however there’s many things that can be done wrong, which would reflect on the appearance of the wall after completion. Tuckpointing should be done precisely, that’s why it’s best if it’s performed by an experienced masonry company like Prime Masonry Contractors Chicago.
The main benefits you’ll receive by hiring professionals to tuckpoint your wall or chimney include:
Weather proofing
The main advantage of tuckpointing is shielding your masonry structure from external weather conditions and moisture that penetrate the materials and cause corrosion. Tuckpointing is an effective way to prevent further deterioration by stopping the water from entering the wall. If poperly done, tuckpointing will extend the life of a wall, chimney and fireplace.
Aesthetic restoration
Tuckpointing recreates the original shape and condition of the bricks and mortar, which will make your wall or chimney look like new again.
Money-saver
You may avoid a costly rebuild of your structure that involves a complete tear-down and rebuilding the construction from scratch. Fixing existing damages is far more profitable than a full chimney or wall replacement.

What is tuckpointing?
Tuckpointing is the term used to describe the process of removing deteriorated mortar joints. Mortar joints are cut to a uniform depth and then fill in with fresh mortar. Tuckpointing is also referred as pointing and repointing, however, it may also mean to put plastic mortar in masonry walls without removing the original damaged mortar.​ Not only old joins need to be repaired, new walls also might need to be tuckpointed to repair voids in the mortar joint, or when the joint has not been properly finished.
How tuckpointing looks like?
Tuckpointing could be a labor-intensive procedure and must be done by an experienced mason or someone with relevant experience. But if you want to do it by yourself, here are some basic steps:
Assess the situation
You need to assess the area where damaged mortar will need to be replaced.
Set-up
Using appropriate equipment, set up to reach the area safely.
Do joint removal
After set-up or if none is needed, the joints will need to be removed. Joint removal can be done in a variety of ways. For example a hammer and chisel or a raker bar.
Clean open joints
Once the joints are removed, the joints will need to be cleaned to remove dirt and debris left over from the joint removal process. This allows for better bonding of new mortar to old brick.
Mix mortar
Mix premix mortar in wheelbarrow with hoe to specifications on product bag. The mortar must be weaker than the bricks, or it will destroy the bricks over time.
Tuckpoint
Cleaned joints are ready to tuckpoint. Use a joiner or tuckpointing trowel to push mortar into the wall from a hawk board.
Do the brush work
Allow the mortar to cure for a short while, enough so that it has little moisture but is still pliable, then brush excess mortar from the wall for a finished product.
Clean
Apply a masonry cleaner 2-3 weeks after completion of the work to remove any residual haze left over from the tuckpointing.
Seal
After 30 days a sealer may be applied but is not necessary.

What kind of repair do you need?
I am sure you know that nothing last forever so, when you need a brick repair or your stone steps are crumbling, you need to be aware that it is time to call a professional company for masonry repair. Masons are people who have all needed knowlegde to build and repair structures made of brick, stone, tile, concrete and similar materials. There are many reasons you might need a masonry repair. As your house age and settle, the mortar might become loosened, leading to displacement of masonry work or maybe you need new bricks or just new mortar between bricks.
Masonry repair is mostly needed for fireplaces, chimneys, patios, porches, foundations and stairs. As you see there is a lot of different things that may need to be repaire. You might need tuckpointing or cleaning bricks, or you just want a brick replacement. Depending on what service you need there is a different cost of the work.
How much masonry repair cost?
As I mentioned, there are various factors that affect the cost of repair. One of the main is surely the type of the repair. Costs vary for different repair projects, depending on the amount of damage and what is required to fix it. The prices can vary from $200 to even $5.000 when you want to for example rebuild whole structure. A good idea is to prevent larger structural problems by investing in smaller repairs.
Another important factor is the material used in your construction. Some of the masons may include the cost of the stone in the price per square foot for their services. Others may have a separate line item in their quote specifically for materials. When it comes to a types of stone, there is a price range from $20 to $80 per square foot. But, if you need a some type of a brick, price can reach over $100. Many people do not realize that the materials for masonry can be the majority of the cost of repair. So, you see that there is no minimum or maximum amount of costs that you can bear.